Homestead – More than just a home stay

October 19, 2015
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The Indian traveler is becoming experimental
with new trends of staying options; but do we have anything that would add an extra
touch of warmth and affection after leaving that place? Homestays have become
the need for people who want more than just a vacation.

The signboard that takes you to the luxury abode
With homestays, you have that
extra touch of hospitality that seem missing in any luxury five star property.
India has acquired the growing trend of homestay options in different states.
Added facilities include a special concern with a dash of love and care that are
completely unbeatable when compared with the hotel stay.
The Homestead near the Pirumadara village about 15 kms before the Corbett Tiger Reserve welcomes
guests with open arms. A small board on the right could have been easily missed
if the GPS did not help us. Wide paddy fields spread like a cover under the
blue sky looked mesmerizing as we drove on for
about a kilometer.
The tranquil path with
endless mango and litchi orchards spread everywhere looked beautiful. We were far away from the
cramped streets of Delhi. The fresh air surrounding the Pirumadara village
seemed as if nature had hung up a permanent ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign.
The entrance embracing guests with open arms

In the last 50 years, the owners Bunny
and Amu built their dream house with superior views of the jungle
landscape. The Homestead is definitely not a project to make money, but a labor
of love, reared since six decades.

His better half Amu shares the similar
interest like her husband who helps him in  preserving the area’s wild natural beauty
by carefully replanting almost a thousand trees and attracting back
wildlife, including birds, butterflies and moths.

The farmhouse transcended into an indulgent homestay for families
seeking indulgent tranquility among tropical splendor.Bunny and Amu’s only goal is to treat their guests like their own family.
Anil Puri AKA Bunny – The owner

The Homestead is like a green cover
spread. We walked past a small pool next to a tree with the most exotic
pink flowers. A bird cage with a variety of chirping birds was music to the
ears compared to the gnarling sounds of vehicles in Delhi.

The accommodation we got was a
small cottage touching the backyard with a kitchen garden. The pillow top
small beds are made with Amu’s personalized selection of bed spreads. The floor-to-ceiling
windows confer views of Bunny and Amu’s expansive gardens. The room made me
feel at home with all the basic necessities and a small bowl of fruits on the
table.
The cute little outdoor dining area with artefacts

A bountiful hot lunch awaited us in
the dining room. The dining area has a cover of 20 people. A large buffet
spread that has some of the most lip smacking delicacies is made under Amu’s
supervision.A talented chef who loves to host people, Amu knows the fine art
of food. The Homestead has brilliant Indian, Mediterranean, Chinese and Thai
cuisine that can please taste buds of even the most finicky eater.

Says the
couple “We love to eat and we love guests who enjoy food as well. Everyone ends up
feeling personally connected here at the dining table.” Depending on guests’
preferences, the couple shares their acumen of food.

The Indian cuisine spread
lavishly on the table comprised of lentils, vegetables, curd and Indian breads
along with a variety of homemade pickles to match the flavorsome food looked enticing. Mealtimes
here are all sourced from local farms suppliers. After a hearty lunch we preferred
to take a small nap while enjoying the melodious sounds of birds performing their
nocturnal opera.
After a brief nap, I was escorted by the property manager for a property round. The bedrooms in Homestead have an old world charm with modern
facilities. Each room offers dramatic views across the landscaped garden.

The pool next to a tree laden with pink flowers

Hammocks on the lawns give the guests a relaxing experience while the spa, hamam and jacuzi in the next wing give a therapeutic experience. A separate play area for kids have a trampoline and
swings, while the kitchen garden in the backyard is filled with different variety of
vegetables that are constantly supervised. What interested me was a large idol of Lord Ganesha made with stone.

Each corner of Homestead echoes Bunny’s travel tales in
the form of miniatures and artifacts collected from around the world. We
got to see Bunny’s travel tales on the huge flat-screen TV in his living room
where he excitedly narrated his odyssey. 

The dinner had a lavish spread of Mediterranean food that was scrumptious.The next morning we headed out on
an off-road tour on an ATV to see the estate in its full glory. The ATVs (All Terrain Vehicles) are the
perfect way to see the beautiful farm land. The wide estate with its flaura and
fauna was a treat to watch. We returned to the
retreat and headed straight towards the pool. The naturally-filtered, chlorine-free pool was
the perfect example of water utilization that the couple has smartly
implemented.
 
Lord Ganesha’s idol

The evening itinerary had a
surprise package in the form of a jungle safari. Bunny and Amu ensure that every guest is taken care of. So they packed everything and took
the guests including us into the deep jungle on tractors and ATVs. The rough ride on the
tractor was actually a delight where we got more acquainted with the jungle.

A small house made of
mud welcomed us with hot tea and biscuits. We enjoyed chatting with the family and got to know more about their
livelihood. The sun was setting. It was time to move back to the resort. After another scrumptious meal, we retired to our beds and dozed off.

There is something special at The Homestead that makes you feel at home throughout the stay. The Homestead is not just any vacation; you
might even get lost in the serene essence and old world charm and would never
want to leave!

If you are looking for a place to take back memories for a lifetime, visit  Homestead – A luxury home stay.

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